President outlines French bid to host World Expo 2025

France’s bid for World Expo 2025 – Letter from M. François Hollande, President of the Republic, to Mr Vicente G. Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions – Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic

Paris, 22 November 2016

Dear Secretary General,

In accordance with the BIE Convention, I am writing to present to you officially France’s bid for World Expo 2025.

As you know, France has a special relationship with world fairs.

Those of the 19th century – through their ambitions for all forms of economic, social, cultural and scientific progress – have left a legacy forever remaining in people’s memories and demonstrating once again our country’s commitment to reach out to the world.

Today, given the major challenges facing mankind tomorrow, the theme France has chosen for this expo is: “Knowledge sharing and protection of the planet”. It is about improving our development models in health, education, culture and the environment, building on the active efforts which, in December 2015, led to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The heart of this expo will be located in Ile-de-France. To add to existing public transport, work has begun on a new 200-kilometre-long metro express network, which from 2024 will improve transport services in Greater Paris. Concurrently, a new direct service will link Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport and Gare de l’Est station in the city centre. The Ile-de-France site to be chosen will therefore have excellent accessibility.

This bid is for the whole of France. Several of our big cities have already expressed their wish to organize thematic forums. And over 100,000 of our fellow citizens have already evidenced their support for this major project, launched by ExpoFrance 2025.

So the whole of France is ready to issue the world an invitation for 2025 and give millions of visitors a unique, unforgettable experience.

This major event will be held over six months, from 1 May to 30 October 2025. Every country, from the smallest to the largest, will be welcomed as equals. Everyone must be able to bring their riches to the event.

The bid was assembled by a public interest group, chaired by an interministerial delegate under the Prime Minister’s authority and bringing together all the stakeholders.

On France’s behalf, I pledge to guarantee the successful completion of this great project, should the member countries of the BIE do us the honour of selecting it.